The Bunker – News without the nonsense From Bad to Norse – How the Vikings would have dealt with a tyrant like Trump
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Aug 22, 2025 Medieval historian Dr. Keith Ruiter, an expert on the Viking Age, joins the discussion to explore how Norse leaders would react to someone like Donald Trump. They dive into Viking governance, highlighting their sophisticated community accountability and the stark contrast with modern political dynamics. The conversation reveals how Viking laws prioritized reputation and societal norms, emphasizing values like loyalty and adaptability, making a case for lessons from the past that resonate in today's political landscape.
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Vikings Were Diverse Maritime Communities
- The Viking Age was a period of mobility, intercultural exchange, and diverse societies rather than a single barbaric culture.
- 'Viking' described maritime activity, not an ethnic group, and meanings changed over time.
Leadership Required Local Consent
- Early Scandinavian rulership relied more on consensus and accountability than on absolute authority.
- Kings had to petition assemblies and could be replaced if they failed to meet local expectations.
Wealth Helps But Doesn't Remove Accountability
- Wealth and networks help bend Norse legal systems, but they don't guarantee impunity.
- Oath-swearing and reputation checks limited how far powerful figures could game the system.